Malala the youngest Nobel prize winner

Malala Yousafzai (17) found out she had become the youngest person to win a Nobel prize from a teacher in chemistry class.

The campaigner was jointly awarded the prestigious peace prize with Indian children’s rights activist Kailash Satyarthi for her “heroic struggle” in favour of girls’ access to education.

Malala Yousafzai

When I found I had won the Nobel Peace Prize I decided I would not leave my school, rather I would finish my school time. – Malala quoted at her school in Edgbaston, Birmingham.

Malala came to prominence after surviving an assassination attempt in October 2012 when her calls for equal rights angered Taliban militants in her homeland of Pakistan.

“I went to the physics lessons, I learned. I went to the English lesson. I considered it like a normal day’. Malala said.

“I was really happy with the response of my teachers and my fellow students. They were all saying they were proud.”

The teenager said it was “quite difficult” to express her emotions but she felt “really honoured” and dedicated the award to “all those children who are voiceless”.

Speaking at a press conference at the Library of Birmingham she said: “I felt more powerful and more courageous because this award is not just a piece of metal or a medal you wear or an award you keep in your room.

“This is encouragement for me to go forward.”

Dr Ruth Weeks, headmistress at Edgbaston High School, said: “We are delighted. For Malala to achieve this distinguished accolade is indeed a great honour.